Norma Sidney Swerer 1903-1905

SWERER, SHERMAN, SMITH, SOMMER

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 10/18/2001 at 18:15:32

Norma Sidney, only daughter of Mrs. Ella Swerer, died at the St. Joseph Hospital in Keokuk on Sunday at 3 p.m. March 19, 1905, having lived nineteen months and nine days. The baby was born in Chicago, but shortly thereafter came to Bonaparte with the mother and grandmother, and this place has been the home.

When God gave little Norma to us we thank him and declared that his works were good, and now that he has seen fit to call her away we try to find it in our hearts to say Thy will be done, but it is so hard. The life was so tender that it seemed that the first breath of adversity was sufficient to cause the flame to burn low and finally go out.

Norma had just reached that interesting age of babyhood when it's toddling footsteps and lisping, "Mamma" was indeed music to our ears, and the meaning of a carress [sic] was fully realized by her. Nor was she chary with her caresses. Something must have told the little sufferer that its stay here would not be long, and she was not content even to the last unless she nestled closely to the heart of mother or the gray-haired grandma, and ever and anon the little face would smile as she imprinted a kiss on the lips that today are Lungering for another touch of the baby lips.

The little life brought a world of enjoyment to those about her and remained just long enough to thoroughly instill into our hearts a love that will never be satisfied, now that she has gone. Only those who have parted from a little one appreciate the sorrow which attends the ending of this life. Endowed with a nature that was all smiles the little babe seemed sunshine itself and the ray of light passed from room to room with her as she hurried about testing the mysteries of this wonderful world. That light went out the door with the little body last Wednesday, but it is today burning brighter in that land where sorrow comes no more, and were some time we will be a reunited.

Little Norma, some ten weeks ago, contacted la grippe and this led to complications, finally settling in the throat in the shape of an abscess, which was at first supposed to be mumps. Only a few days sufficed to prove this diagnosis wrong and an examination of the throat reveal the the more terrible affliction. As a last resort the baby was taken to the hospital at Keokuk where it was hoped that help could be obtained, but the end came while the physicians were endeavoring to administer relief.

Who can picture the sad home coming, to the grandmother who had no other object in life than living for her children, nor the terrible thought of the mother who knew that while every effort had been made, yet she had promised that grandmother that she would bring little Norma back safe and sound. Little normal was safe--safe from all future woe, but we were not ready to give her up.

The funeral services were held at the home in this city on Wednesday, March 22d, with Rev. Wehn in charge and the remains were laid away in the cemetery at this place.

There are left to mourn, of the immediate family we might say, the mother, and grandmother, Mrs. D. T. Sherman, and the following uncles and their families all of the city: E. C. Smith, S. V., N. D. and J. R. Sherman, as well as Mrs. B. J. Sommer of Chicago, and her two children Herman and Katheryn, the last two of which make their home with the grandmother and sorely missed their little playmate.

Several beautiful selections were sung by Mrs. Cox and Ryland at the home.

Floral offerings were profuse and very handsome, chief among which was a pillow of roses on which was woven "Norma", the gift of friends in the clothing department.

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I am NOT related and am posting this obit for those who may find this person in their family history.